Equally Speaking
The following is a transcript of HRC’s morning news webcast "Equally Speaking." To view the current videos visit the main Equally Speaking page.
Good morning, and thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking, your morning dose of LGBT news from the Human Rights Campaign for Thursday, October 2nd. I’m Sarah Birnie.
And I’m Frank November. First up, news from the campaign trail.
The Vice Presidential debate between Democratic candidate Joe Biden and Republican candidate Sarah Palin is set to take place tonight. Senator Biden will be the featured speaker at HRC’s Twelfth Annual National Dinner in Washington, DC on Saturday. Best-selling author and personal finance expert Suze Orman will be honored with the National Equality Award at the dinner.
The HRC Political Action Committee released an online video yesterday in response to the comments by Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin that she believes homosexuality is a choice. Palin made the remarks in an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric. HRC PAC video is narrated by Michael Cole, senior manager of HRC’s media center, who flew to Alaska to talk with Wasilla’s LGBT community. The video can be found at HRCBackstory.org.
Yesterday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation that would have officially designated May 22nd as Harvey Milk Day in California. The day would have honored the first openly gay man to be elected to office in a major city in the United States. HRC President Joe Solmonese said yesterday he is disappointed in the veto. A feature film on Milk starring Sean Penn will be released December 5th.
A new poll found 42 percent of Arizona voters oppose a proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage as being between a man and a woman, while 49 percent say they would support it. In order to pass, Proposition 102 needs the support of 50 percent plus one of voters. A similar ballot initiative was defeated in 2006.
A North Miami gay man began a court battle yesterday to adopt two children he and his partner have cared for through the state's foster program. A 31-year-old law in the state allows gays and lesbians to foster children but forbids them from adopting. Frank Martin Gill and his partner have cared for the two half-brothers since December 2004.
Oscar and Grammy-award winning artist Melissa Etheridge and longtime partner Tammy Lynn Michaels announced they plan to tie the knot. The couple entered into a civil union in 2003. A long-time friend to HRC, Etheridge recently performed at the Rock to Win concert at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
That’s the news from us today. Thanks for tuning in to Equally Speaking.
Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow morning.